TNBankFishing

I agree. To me the first year is the test. If I snap a rod being an idiot and you still stand behind your product no questions asked I’m sold. After a year… I mean most folks shouldn’t expect more than a 50% discount.

The SLX MGL will be a good all around reel. Brass gears and MGL spool are a fantastic combination. I own a Lews Hypermag and it’s absolutely wonderful. It’s feather light and has great ergonomics. They are on sale for ~230 on sportsman’s outfitters if you’re interested. If you’re interested in other reels in that shape I would recommend them. Just make sure to stick to aluminum frame, as composites have a tendency to warp from jig and frog fishing.

Knock on wood! One thing I forgot to mention is the Brailist does well with football jigs as well. The length lets you still set the hook hard on deeper rock points. Really the Brailist is an amazing MH stick with great sensitivity and a decently fast tip.

Put them up in the flea market. You’ll get some extra cash for the holidays. I understand you’re feelings. I’ve collected so many plastics now I’ve sworn buying anything until it’s all gone. Might take another year.

Rods will break. We’re talking about carbon sticks with a massive amount of abuse layered on them. It’s not just casting, catching, and boat flipping. It’s rapid weather changes, being stored in rod lockers, and getting smacked around inside trucks. I feel like I’ve heard the same types of horror stories on Dobyns, Loomis (except NRX), and St. Croix. In the end if the company will take care of you for an entire calendar year no questions asked I’m on board. Comparing MB to others I’m happy to not pay fees in the first year. If a rod snaps 2 years into ownership it’s impossible to say what the cause is. I’ve snapped an Expride and Shimano gave me the run around. I’ve broken a Lews cheapie and they were awesome. I fish from a kayak and I fish tournaments 2+ times a month from April through October. I’m my mind my gear will break at some point, and I’m ok with it. Means I get to buy more Some folks really think a stick with metal guides should handle all kinds of abuse for a decade. My advice for those folks is never spend more than your comfortable losing.

The three jig rods are the Brailist, Tour Versatile, and Perfect Pitch. At a half oz I’d lean towards the Brailist. It excels at 3/8 and 1/2, and is a fantastic swim jig rod. It also does well in half oz and lower t-rigs. The only negative is it isn’t the lightest, being 7’5. The perfect pitch is also very good, and anything heavier cover or 5/8ths and above I’d favor it. Be aware the PP is NOT a punching rod. Neither of the sticks should be used with an oz tungsten and full size punch bait. The EMTF is a moving bait rod and lacks the sensitivity and power of the others. I own both the Brailist and PP in the Orochi line, and the EMTFs cousin the Javelin in the 17 Destroyer.

I would not. The models which had issues were the Destroyer Warhammer and the old model Levantes. And even then you’re hearing a vocal minority. I own at least 7 models across US and JDM lines and have broken one stick using a pro style hook set on a log. In the Orochi line there are three rods you can use for jigs, but they are all a little different in applications. What types of jigs and what cover do you fish?

I’m surprised that happened. I’ve never had a bad reaction from them, although I went through Megabass USA and not a local shop. While I believe whole heartedly the NRX is a fantastic rod, I don’t think Loomis competes at a lower price point. That’s what their Shimano line is for.

Megabass far and away. Dollar for dollar they are nicer and more refined. A warranty for Megabass when bought new is 3 years, and the one rod I’ve broken was replaced after zero questions. No expiditor fee, just a new stick. I own a Brailist and for you’re techniques it would work perfectly. It balances well on any sub 7 oz reel and has surprising strength for a MH. I use it for swim jigs, football and close quarter pitching. Comparing the GCX to the Orochi isn’t even close. A more accurate comparison is the IMX line, but from guides to fit and finish the Orochi is superior. Feel free to ask me anything about these sticks.

I own 3 different Mets in three retrieves bought from two different sources and have not had this issue. Return them ASAP.

From fishing and researching these rods myself I’ve found a few things to pass on. The Super Destroyer isn’t the power jig rod in the lineup. The Tachyon is. The SD is much slower and more of an all around medium-heavy+ rod. The Dark Sleeper is a quality moving bait rod for anything around 3/8ths. Chatters, spinners, swim jigs. The X-Bites is a high quality slack line feel jig rod. It doesn’t have the guts to pitch into cover but deep or shallow rock piles or just bouncing a trig it excels. Ive only fished these rods less than a year, and they aren’t owned by me. My impressions are from taking them out a few trips and just getting a feel for them.

Of the two which do you think handles DS and Neds better? I’d think the 7’1 but I could be wrong. I’ve not fished either of them. The one positive with the 7’6 is I can throw small swim baits on it and free up my medium bait caster for more topwater and reaction baits.

Does the DSR handle ned rigs as well? I was under the impression it was strictly a one technique rod.

You’d go with the 7’1 over the 7’6? Any reason why? I only ever run 1 spinning rod, so I’m not sure if the 7’6 is more versatile.

If you throw smaller 3/8th chatterbaits you can also get away with throwing them on a MH glass rod. Its what a lot of people prefer. I agree with Bluebasser, cranking sticks are very rarely good at much else. Sometimes you can get a solid graphite rod which is moderate enough to throw shallow cranks and pull topwater duty.

Do you feel like the semi micro guides cause any issues with connection nots? If you had to pick between the three, what would you choose to cover both techniques?

Very interesting…

How high end is high end? You listed under $300 reels with $400+ rods. If you want a hyper sensitive well balanced combo there are a couple sticks I can recommend. Megabass P5 Dark Sleeper - Fantastic sensitivity coupled with a great looks and other worldly fit and finish. Does what you want in a fantastic package. It is geared just slightly more towards moving applications. If you prefer the Trig rod of the group it’s the X-Bites. I owned a DS, but have only fished an X-Bites for half a day. I own 2 legend x casters. A 7’ MF and MHF. I adore these rods, and their sensitivity is up there with the higher end Megabass rods I own. I can compare them in hand to a FMJ and Brailist and the X comes out on top. The only knock is the semi micro guides. Unless your connection knot game is on point you might run into issues. Exprides are great, but in that price range I’d step up to the Poison Adrena. I’ve never owned one and can’t give you any feedback. I own a 7’ M spinning Expride and it’s an amazing senko rod and does well with lighter jerkbaits. I would skip the Chronarch and get a 21 Zillion, or step way up into a Metanium. If you want a sleeper SUPER light reel grab a lews hypermag. I have one on my frog rod and it’s the only non Shimano reel I’ve kept.

Reels up on an auction site for 75, that lure rating is before my time. I don’t understand why it doesn’t say 2 and 3/4 oz but 11/4 it is. Has the reel been serviced this year? Any way to get a look at the inners just to make sure it’s not completely bust? if you need a 5’5” extra heavy frog/punch rod it seems neat. Beyond the novelty I’d avoid it.

I’ll give them a call Tuesday and see what my options are. I’d prefer torzite for guides but I’m not up on all the blanks. Ive been worried about dipping my toes into the custom pool. If Alex does back his work and offers a discount when I break the rod I might be tempted. For me personally jigs and bottom contact take the highest level of refinement. The issue is I’ve moved my senko rod to my medium legend x and my spinning setup would be better served with a true finesse option.

The Conquests don’t have recoils, but at almost $700 are they that much better than a Steez or Legend Elite? They might be. Maybe someone can chime in if they have both to compare.

I’ve thought of this but the custom route doesn’t take into account replacements. Most companies have a program on high end equipment which allows a no questions replacement for a fee. Fishing from a kayak means I will break things, it’s a matter of time.

While it might be slightly over budget I feel like a Dobyns Fury would really set you up nicely. They are on sale all over for the holiday. If not I 100% agree with FishTank, the SLX combo would last you for years to come. The prize in the combo is the reel, and the SLX is a fantastic platform. The aluminum frame makes it a workhorse. I pounded the bank for a couple years before I got into a kayak, and I understand how tough it can be to only be able to carry a few things. Personally I think a light spinning, medium casting, and MH casting will be all you ever need. You can also swap the MH for a H if you live where your local waters have a ton of vegetation and structure.

Good afternoon BR crew, I’m looking to outfit myself with a drop shot and ned rig rod and I have a dilemma. What is the right stick for me and my bodies of water? I trust everyone here has a varied set of experience with multiple brands and can help me branch out from my comfort zone on this purchase. Before listing the rods I’m eyeing, I will admit a single rod isn’t best for these two techniques, and I also know you do not need to spend a lot to get a quality product. I also fish exclusively from a kayak and every rod I take needs to be able to handle multiple duties. I live in east Tennessee so I fish deep reservoirs, moving water, and shallow lakes. I have a 7’ M Expride but it isn’t what I need for the tasks at hand. I’m most interested in the rods below, but if you have advice in the same league please feel free to speak up. 2021 Daiwa Steez 7’1” ML - The 7’6” might be too long to net fish safely, the longest rod on my boat currently is a Megabass Javelin. Dobyns Xtasy 1 power - I just don’t hear much about the high end Dobyns, good or bad. Everyone who owns the champs or HPs love them though. Legend Elite 7’ML - I have two legend x casters and they are fantastic. The elite let’s my weekend warrior level of connection knots through the guides more easily. These are possibles - Conquest - I don’t like recoils, and don’t really want an NRX because of them. GLX is a possibility, but I’ve honestly never really bought into anything other than the MBRs from Loomis. Megabass XX Shakeyhead - Can’t find a Windbuster to save my life. Addermine is discontinued. Shakeyhead might not be in the same class as the other options. What do ya’ll think?

I’ve purchased 2 Mets, a couple Scorpions, and a Bantam from them. They have always come quickly and in perfect shape. They just sent a 3% discount code to me in the last day. Sign up for emails and buy with confidence.